Study and Reference Guide Glider Pilot Licence - TP 876

Thirteenth Edition
September 2007

Table of Contents

• General
• Section 1: Air Law and Procedures
• Section 2: Navigation and Radio Theory
• Section 3: Meteorology
• Section 4: Airframes and Systems
• Section 5: Theory of Flight
• Section 6: Flight Instruments
• Section 7: Flight Operations
• Section 8: Human Factors
• Recommended Study Material

General

The conditions of issue of all flight crew licences and ratings are stated in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

Examination Prerequisites

Prior to taking a written examination, an applicant shall meet the prerequisites for the examination set out in the personnel licensing standards with respect to CAR 401.13(1)

1. medical fitness;
2. identification; and
3. experience.

Knowledge Requirements

All subjects in this guide are considered to be important to applicants for the Glider Pilot Licence and may appear on the exam. Subject areas identified by a bullet () are essential knowledge areas that will be emphasized on the written examination.

Examination Rules

CAR 400.02

1. Except as authorized by an invigilator, no person shall, or shall attempt to, in respect of a written examination,
   1. copy or remove from any place all or any portion of the text of the examination;
   2. examination;
   3. give help to or accept help from any person during the examination;
   4. complete all or any portion of the examination on behalf of any other person; or
   5. use any aid or written material during the examination.
2. A person who commits an act prohibited under subsection (1) fails the examination and may not take any other examination for a period of one year

Time Limit

Examinations, including all sections of a sectionalized examination, that are required for the issuance of a permit or licence or for the endorsement of a permit or licence with a rating shall be completed during the 24-month period immediately preceding the date of the application for the permit, licence or rating.

Rewriting of Examinations

CAR 400.04 (1)

Subject to subsections (2) and (6), a person who fails an examination or a section of a sectionalized examination required for the issuance of a flight crew permit, licence, rating or foreign licence validation certificate is ineligible to rewrite the examination or the failed section for a period of

1. in the case of a first failure, 14 days;
2. in the case of a second failure, 30 days; and
3. in the case of a third or subsequent failure, 30 days plus an additional 30 days for each failure in excess of two failures, up to a maximum of 180 days.

Examination Feedback

Feedback statements on the results letter will inform the candidate which questions were answered incorrectly.

Example of a Feedback Statement:

Identify the atmospheric conditions favorable for thunderstorm formation.

Written Examination

Applicants for the Glider Pilot Licence shall demonstrate their knowledge by writing a Transport Canada multiple choice examination on subjects contained in this guide. Applicants must be able to read the examination questions in either English or French without assistance.

Examination	Questions	Time Limit	Pass Mark
Glider Pilot Licence (GLIDE)	50	2 hours	60%

Section 1: Air Law and Procedures

CARs

Some Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) refer to their associated standards. Questions from the CARs may test knowledge from the regulation or the standard.

Part I - General Provisions

• 101 – Interpretation
  •  101.01 Interpretation
• 103 - Administration and Compliance
  •  103.02 Inspection of Aircraft, Requests for Production of Documents and Prohibitions
  • 103.03 Return of Canadian Aviation Documents
  • 103.04 Record Keeping

Part III - Aerodrome and Airports

• 300 – Interpretation
  •  300.01 Interpretation
• 301 – Aerodrome
  • 301.01 Application
  • 301.04 Markers and Markings
  • 301.06 Wind Direction Indicator
  • 301.07 Lighting
  •  301.08 Prohibitions
  • 301.09 Fire Prevention
• 302 – Airports
  • 302.10 Prohibitions
  • 302.10 Fire Prevention

Part IV - Personnel Licensing and Training

• 400 – General
  • 400.01 Interpretation

• 401 - Flight Crew Permits, Licenses and Ratings
  • 401.03 Requirement to Hold a Flight Crew Permit, Licence or Rating
  • 401.04 Flight Crew Members of Aircraft Registered in Contracting States Other Than Canada
  • 401.05 Recency Requirements
  • 401.08 Personal Logs
  •  401.24 Pilot License - Gliders - Privileges

• 404 - Medical Requirements
  • 404.03 Requirement to Hold a Medical Certificate (MC)
  • 404.04 Issuance, Renewal and Validity Period of MC
  • 404.06 Prohibitions Regarding Exercise of Privileges
  • 404.18 Permission to Continue to Exercise the Privileges of a Licence or Rating

Part VI - General Operating and Flight Rules

• 600 - Interpretation
  • 600.01 Definitions
• 601 - Airspace Structure, Classification and Use
  • 601.01 Airspace Structure
  • 601.02 Airspace Classification
  • 601.03 Transponder Airspace
  • 601.04 IFR or VFR Flight in Class F Special Use Restricted Airspace or Class F Special Use Advisory Airspace
  • 601.06 VFR Flight in Class A Airspace
  •  601.07 VFR Flight in Class B Airspace
  •  601.08 VFR Flight in Class C Airspace
  • 601.09 VFR Flight in Class D Airspace
  • 601.15 Forest Fire Aircraft Operating Restrictions
  • 601.16 Issuance of NOTAM for Forest Fire Aircraft Operating Restrictions
• 602 - Operating and Flight Rules
• General
  • 602.01 Reckless or Negligent Operation of Aircraft
  • 602.02 Fitness of Flight Crew Members
  •  602.03 Alcohol or Drugs - Crew Members
  • 602.04 Alcohol or Drugs - Passengers
  • 602.05 Compliance with Instructions
  • 602.06 Smoking
  • 602.07 Aircraft Operating Limitations
  • 602.12 Overflight of Built-up Areas or Open-air Assemblies of Persons during Take-offs, Approaches and Landings
  • 602.13 Take-offs, Approaches and Landings within Built-up Areas of Cities and Towns
  • 602.14 Minimum Altitudes and Distances
  • 602.15 Permissible Low Altitude Flight
  •  602.19 Right-of-Way - General
  • 602.21 Avoidance of Collision
  •  602.23 Dropping of Objects
  • 602.24 Formation Flight
  • 602.25 Entering or Leaving an Aircraft in Flight
  • 602.26 Parachute Descents
  •  602.27 Aerobatic Manoeuvres - Prohibited Areas and Flight Conditions
  •  602.28 Aerobatic Manoeuvres with Passengers
  • 602.31 Compliance with Air Traffic Control Instructions and Clearances
  • 602.35 Altimeter-setting and Operating Procedures in the Altimeter-setting Region
  • 602.36 Altimeter Setting and Operating Procedures in the Standard Pressure Region
• Operational and Emergency Equipment Requirements
  • 602.58 Prohibition
  • 602.59 Equipment Standards
  • 602.61 Survival Equipment - Flights over Land
• Flight Preparation, Flight Plans and Flight Itineraries
  • 602.70 Definitions
  • 602.71 Pre-flight Information
  • 602.72 Weather Information
  •  602.73 Requirement to File a Flight Plan or a Flight Itinerary
  • 602.74 Contents of a Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary
  • 602.75 Filing of a Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary
  • 602.77 Requirement to File an Arrival Report
  •  602.78 Contents of an Arrival Report
  • 602.79 Overdue Aircraft Report
• Pre-Flight and Fuel Requirements
  • 602.89 Passenger Briefings
• Operations at or in the Vicinity of an Aerodrome
  •  602.96 General
  • 602.97 VFR and IFR Aircraft Operations at Uncontrolled Aerodromes within an MF Area
  • 602.98 General MF Reporting Procedures
  • 602.99 MF Reporting Procedures before Entering Manoeuvring Area
  • 602.101 MF Reporting Procedures on Arrival
  • 602.103 Reporting Procedures when Flying through an MF Area
• Visual Flight Rules
  • 602.114 Minimum Visual Meteorological Conditions for VFR Flight in Controlled Airspace
  • 602.115 Minimum Visual Meteorological Conditions for VFR Flight in Uncontrolled Airspace
• Radio Communications
  • 602.136 Continuous Listening Watch
  • 602.138 Two-way Radiocommunication Failure in VFR Flight
• Emergency Communication and Security
  • 602.143 Emergency Radio Frequency Capability
  • 602.144 Interception Signals, Interception of Aircraft and Instructions to Land – Sub-section (3) and (4)
  • 605 - Aircraft Requirements
• General
  • 605.03 Flight Authority
  • 605.05 Markings and Placards
  • 605.08 Unserviceable and Removed Equipment - General
• Aircraft Equipment Requirements
  • 605.21 Gliders-Day VFR
  • 605.22 Seat and Safety Belt Requirements
  • 605.24 Shoulder Harness Requirements
  • 605.25 General use of Safety Belts and Restraint System - Sub-sections (1) and (2)
• Use of Aircraft Equipment
  • 605.29 Flight Control Locks
  • 605.31 Oxygen Equipment and Supply
  •  605.32 Use of Oxygen – Sub-sections (1) and (2)
  • 605.35 Transponder and Automatic Pressure-Altitude Reporting Equipment – Sub-sections (1) and (3)
  • 605.40 ELT Activation
• Aircraft Maintenance Requirements
  • 605.84 Aircraft Maintenance – General
  • 605.85 Maintenance Release and Elementary Work
  • 605.86 Maintenance Schedule – Sub-sections (1) (a), (2) and (3)
  • 605.88 Inspection After Abnormal Occurrences
• Technical Record
  • 605.92 Requirement to Keep Technical Records – Sub-section (1)
  • 605.93 Technical Records – General
  • 605.94 Journey Log Requirements
  • 605.95 Journey Log – Carrying on Board
  • 605.97 Transfer of Records
  • 606 - Miscellaneous
  • 606.02 Liability Insurance – Sub-section (9)

Aeronautical Information Circulars

•  Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) – (TC AIM GEN 3.0)

Air Traffic Services and Procedures

1. Air Traffic and Advisory Services
2. Flight Service Stations / Flight Information Centres
3. Communications Procedures
4. Radar Service - Clock Position System
5. ATC Clearances / Instructions / Mandatory Readback Procedures
6. Wake Turbulence Separation
7. Aerodrome and Airport Operations - Controlled
8. Aerodrome and Airport Operations - Uncontrolled
9. Mandatory and Aerodrome Traffic Frequencie

Section 2: Navigation and Radio Theory

Definitions

1.  Meridian
2. Prime Meridian
3. Longitude
4. Equator
5. Latitude
6. Rhumb Line/Great Circle
7. Variation
8. Isogonal
9. Agonic Line
10. Deviation
11. Track
12. Heading
13. Airspeed
14. Ground Speed
15. Ground Position
16. Bearing
17. Wind Velocity
18. Drift

Maps and Charts

1. VNC - Lambert Conformal Conic Projection
2.  Topographical Symbols
3.  Aeronautical Information
4.  Scale and Units of Measurement
5. Locating Position by Latitude and Longitude

Pilot Navigation

1. Use of Aeronautical Charts
2.  Measurement of Distance
3. Tracks and Bearings
4. Map Orientation
5. Departure - Visual Angle
6. Map Reading
7. Check-points / Waypoints
8. Lost Procedures

Pre-Flight Preparation

1. Factors Affecting Choice of Route
2. Map Preparation
3. Meteorological Information
4. NOTAM
5. Selection of Check-points / Waypoints
6. Weight and Balance
7. Use of Canada Flight Supplement
8. Documents to be Carried in Aircraft
9. Flight Itineraries
10. Aircraft Serviceability

Radio Theory

1. Frequency Bands Used in Communication
2. Reception Limitations

Section 3: Meteorology

The Earth’s Atmosphere

1. Composition and Physical Properties
2. Vertical Structure
3. Standard Atmosphere
4. Density and Pressure
5. Mobility
6. Expansion and Compression

Atmospheric Pressure

1. Pressure Measurements
2. Station Pressure
3. Sea Level Pressure
4. Pressure Systems and their Variations
5. Effects of Temperature
6. Isobars
7. Horizontal Pressure Differences

Meteorological Aspects of Altimetry

1. Pressure Altitude
2. Density Altitude
3. Altimeter Settings
4. Considerations When Flying from High to Low Pressure and Temperature Areas and Vice Versa

Temperature

1. Temperature Scale - Fahrenheit / Celsius
2. Heating / Cooling of the Atmosphere - Convection / Advection / Radiation
3. Horizontal Differences
4. Temperature Variations with Altitude
5.  Inversions
6. Isothermal Layers

Moisture

1.  Relative Humidity / Dewpoint
2. Sublimation / Condensation / Evaporation
3. Cloud Formation
4. Precipitation
5. Saturated / Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate

Stability and Instability

1.  Lapse Rate and Stability
2. Modification of Stability
3.  Characteristics of Stable / Unstable Air
4.  Surface Heating and Cooling
5.  Air Mass Lifting Process
6. Subsidence/Convergence

Clouds

1.  Classification
2. Formation and Structure
3.  Types and Recognition
4. Associated Precipitation and Turbulence

Turbulence

1.  Convection
2.  Mechanical
3. Orographic
4.  Wind Shear

Wind

1. Definition
2. Pressure Gradient
3.  Low Level Winds - Variation in Surface Wind
4.  Friction / Gradient
5. Veer / Back
6.  Squalls / Gusts
7. Diurnal Effects
8. Land / Sea Breezes
9. Katabatic/Anabatic Effects
10. Topographical Effects

Air Masses

1. Definition and Characteristics
2.  Formation / Classification
3. Modification
4. Factors that Determine Weather
5. Seasonal and Geographic Effects
6. Air Masses Affecting North America

Fronts

1. Structure
2.  Types
3. Formation
4. Cross-sections

Frontal Weather

1.  Cold Front
2. Warm Front
3. TROWAL and Upper Fronts

Aircraft Icing

1. In-flight - Freezing Rain / Wet Snow Hoar Frost

Thunderstorms

1. Requirements for Development
2. Structure / Development
3. Classification - Air Mass, Frontal, Squall Line, Convective, Orographic,
4. Hazards - Turbulence, Hail, Rain, Icing, Altimetry, Lightning, Gust Fronts, Downbursts and Microbursts

Squall Lines / Tornadoes

1. Hazards

Surface Based Layers

1. Fog Formation
2. Fog Types (Including Mist)
3. Haze and Smoke
4. Blowing Obstructions to Vision

Meteorological Services Available to Pilots

1. Pilot Briefing Service
2. Flight Information Centres (FIC)
3. Flight Service Stations (FSS)
4. Pilots Automatic Telephone Weather Answering Service (PATWAS)
5. Aviation Weather Web Site (AWWS)
6. Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS)

Aviation Weather Reports

1. Decoding
2. Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)
3. Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS)

Aviation Forecasts

1. Times Issued/Validity Periods
2. Decoding
3. Graphical Area Forecasts (GFA)
4. Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
5. Upper Level Winds and Temperature Forecasts (FD) - Up to 9,000 feet AGL.
6. Significant In-flight Weather Warning Message (SIGMET)

Weather Maps and Prognostic Charts

1. Times Issued/Validity Periods
2. Symbols/Decoding
3. Surface Weather Map

Section 4: Airframes and Systems

Airframes

1. Types of Construction

Landing Gear and Wheel Brakes

Flaps and Spoilers / Dive Brakes

Section 5: Theory of Flight

Principles of Flight

1. Bernoulli's Theorem
2. Newton's Laws

Forces Acting on a Glider

1. Lift
2. Drag - Induced/Parasite/Profile
3. Relationship of Lift and Drag to Angle of Attack
4. Weight
5. Equilibrium
6. Centre of Pressure
7. Centrifugal / Centripetal Forces
8.  Forces Acting on an Aircraft during Manoeuvres

Aerofoils

1. Pressure Distribution about an Aerofoil
2. Relative Airflow and Angle of Attack
3. Angle of Incidence

Design the Wings

1. Wing Planform
2. Area / Span / Chord
3. Aspect Ratio
4. Streamlining
5. Camber
6. Laminar Flow
7. Dihedral
8.  Spoilers / Dive Brakes
9. Flaps

Load Factor

1. Centrifugal Force / Weight
2. Load Factor - Linear / Turns
3.  Relationship of Load Factor to Stalling Speed
4. Structural Limitations
5. Gust Loads

Stability

1. Longitudinal / Lateral / Directional
2. Inherent Stability
3. Spiral Instability
4. Methods of Achieving Stability

Flight Controls

1.  Glider Axes and Movements
2. Function of Controls
3. Relationship Between Effects of Yaw and Roll
4. Adverse Yaw / Aileron Drag
5. Static / Dynamic Balancing of Control
6.  Trim / Trimming Devices

Section 6: Flight Instruments

Pitot Static System

1. Pitot
2. Static

Airspeed Indicator

1.  Principles of Operation
2.  Errors
3. Markings
4. Definition – IAS/TAS

Variometer

1. Principles of Operation
2. Lag

Altimeter

1. Principles of Operation
2. Errors

Magnetism

1. The Earth's Magnetism
2. Magnetic Dip
3.  Variation

Direct Reading Magnetic Compass

1. Principles of Operation
2. Factors Adversely Affecting Compass Operation
3. Reading the Compass
4.  Turning and Acceleration Errors
5.  Checking Compass Heading on the Ground and in Flight

Section 7: Flight Operations

General

1. Pilot-in-Command Responsibilities
2. Thunderstorm Avoidance
3.  Mountain Flying Operations
4.  Collision Avoidance
5. Runway Numbering
6. Obstruction Markings
7. Units of Measurement and Conversion
8. Radio Communications
9. Aerodrome Operations (including Procedures for Landing with Other Aircraft in the Landing Area)
10.  Effects of Wind / Wind Gradient including Wind Shear
11.  Thermaling (including Safety Considerations)
12. Effects of High Winds and Thunderstorms
13.  Side-slips - cross-wind / height loss
14. Ground Operations
15.  Ground and Air Signals - (see diagrams)
16. Methods of Launch
17.  Aerotowing

Aircraft Performance

1. Lift / Drag Ratio
2. Effects of Density Altitude and Humidity
3.  Take-offs and Landings
4. Ground Effect
5.  Determining Approach Speeds
6. Never Exceed Speed, Manoeuvring Speed
7. Maximum Flap Speed
8.  Gliding at Best L/D
9. Minimum Sink Speed
10. Wave Flying - Use of TAS
11.  Stalls
12.  Spins
13.  Spirals
14. Use of Aircraft Flight Manual

Weight and Balance

1. Terms (e.g. Datum/Arm/Moment)
2.  Locating CG
3. CG limits
4. Weights (e.g. Empty / Gross)
5.  Load Adjustment - Use of Ballast

Wake Turbulence

1.  Causes
2.  Effects
3. Avoidance

Search And Rescue (SAR) (TC AIM - SAR Information)

1. Types of Service Available
2. ELT (exclude categories)
3. Aircraft Emergencies
4. Survival - Basic Techniques

Aircraft Critical Surface Contamination

1. Clean Aircraft Concept
2.  Contaminants - ice, frost, mud, etc.
3. Pre-take-off Inspection

Ground and Air Signals: Glider signals used in the examination

Section 8: Human Factors

Aviation Physiology

1.  Hypoxia / Hyperventilation
2.  Gas Expansion Effects
3. Decompression (including SCUBA Diving)
4.  Vision / Visual Scanning Techniques
5. Hearing
6.   Orientation / Disorientation (including visual / vestibular Illusions)
7.  Positive and Negative / Reduced "G"
8. Sleep / Fatigue
9.  Anaesthetics / Blood Donations

The Pilot and the Operating Environment

1. Personal Health / Fitness
2. Diet / Nutrition
3. Medications (Prescribed / Over the counter)
4.  Substance Abuse (Alcohol / Drugs)
5. Pregnancy
6. Heat / Cold - Hyperthermia and Hypothermia
7. Effects of Smoking

Aviation Psychology

1. The Decision-making Process
2. Factors that Influence Decision-making
3. Situational Awareness
4. Stress
5. Managing Risk
6. Attitudes
7. Workload - Attention and Information Processing

Pilot - Equipment / Materials Relationship

1.  Controls and displays - Errors in Interpretation and Control
2. Errors in the Interpretation and Use of Maps / Charts
3. Correct Use of Check-lists and Manuals

Interpersonal Relations

1. Communication with – Ground Assistants, Maintenance Personnel and Air Traffic Services.
2. Communication Between Pilots / Passengers
3. Operating Pressures - Family Relationship / Peer Group / Organizational

Recommended Study Material

• Sample Examination for Glider Pilot Licence (TP 877E)
• When in Doubt ... Small and Large Aircraft - Aircraft Critical Surface Contamination Training (TP 10643E)
• Aircraft Critical Surface Contamination Examination Questions (TP 10615E) - Questions that are appropriate to the licence sought may appear on written examinations
• Air Command Weather Manual
• Air Command Weather Manual Supplement
• Human Factors For Aviation - Basic Handbook (TP 12863E)
• Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM) (TP 14371E)
• Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)
• VFR Navigation Charts (VNC)/VFR Terminal Area Charts (VTA)
• Canada Flight Supplement (CFS)

The Study Guide For The Radiotelephone Operator's Restricted Certificate (Aeronautical) is available free of charge from district offices of Industry Canada - Examinations and Radio Licensing (http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/home).

Information on textbooks and other publications produced by commercial publishers can be obtained through local flying training organizations, bookstores and similar sources.

Publications used in pilot training in the United States are available through the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/index.html).

Enquiries

Information concerning the location of pilot training organizations and matters pertaining to flight crew licensing may be obtained by contacting the appropriate Regional Offices. A complete listing may be found at: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilots-personnel/flight-crew-licences-permits-ratings/flight-crew-examinations.